Fujifilm Updates X100 Firmware

We are beyond impressed. Never before have we seen such support from camera manufacturers as shown by the relative newcomer to large-sensor digital camera market, Fujifilm. Only a while ago, Japanese company has released yet another firmware update for the original X camera, the X100. And a big one, at that. I can already hear the owners rejoice. They bought a quirky, charming camera and now, three years later, it is all grown up. So much, in fact, that we may have to append our initial review.

1) What We Think

Over the past three years, Fujifilm has produced a number of extremely lovable cameras. Until 2010 when the original X100 was launched, I don’t remember myself paying attention to any of its digital cameras, including the legendary S2, S3 and S5 Pro models. Maybe because all they had in the line-up were compact point-and-shoot offerings. For me, Fujifilm was the maker of great lenses, photographic film and film cameras only. Not anymore. In our opinion – and trust me when I say I am trying not to let my personal affection for the firm get in the way of objective statements – Fujifilm makes some of the greatest digital cameras right now. But they way they keep improving them is frankly staggering. If you ever imagined a manufacturer that cares most of all about the loyalty of its customers and truly does its best to make their products as good as they can possibly be, well, I think it is safe to say Fujifilm is at the top of the list of such camera manufacturers right now. The slightly sad part is – it shouldn’t be. What Fujifilm is doing with its continued support is really only unexpected when compared to the likes of Nikon, who prefers to launch new products to fix old ones, and other manufacturers. It should be the gold standard, but isn’t. And right now, Fujifilm seems to be the only one who knows how to truly build a loyal customer base. Bravo.

As much as I love my D700, Nikon has a thing or two to learn from the charismatic folks at Fujifilm.

2) Fujifilm X100 Firmware Version 2.00 Details

The new firmware version 2.00 brings the following improvements to the Fujifilm X100 compact camera (quote from official press release):

Improved Auto Focus

Approximately 20% faster AF speed and enhanced focus distance compared to the previous firmware version

Close-up focus distance shortened by 30% before needing to switch to macro mode

Improved Manual Focus

New Focus Peaking function assists in manual focusing by enhancing the outline of the subject in high contrast

Improved focusing via the EVF or LCD when using wide apertures

Improved Operability

The camera start-up time has been shortened by approximately 0.2 seconds

Pressing the AF button now toggles the focus area selection screen and the area of your choice can be selected

3) Official Press Release

Here is the official Fujifilm press release:

FUJIFILM LAUNCHES SIGNIFICANT FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR THE ORIGINAL X100

Mississauga ON, October 18, 2013 – FUJIFILM Canada today announced a new firmware v2.0 update that dramatically improves the performance of the original FUJIFILM X100, the first model in the premium X-Series line of digital cameras.

Since its release in March 2011, Fujifilm has received meaningful feedback from X100 photographers throughout the world and this firmware upgrade reflects many of their requests. This new firmware update delivers improved autofocus and manual focus, as well as other convenient features for users who apply the update.

“Photographers around the world have trusted their images to Fujifilm and the X-Series, and this new firmware update is concrete evidence that we are not only listening to our customers, but also working hard to improve our products on a continuing basis,” says Greg Poole, Vice President, Imaging and Recording Media Products, Fujifilm Canada.

Key Features of New X100 Firmware v2.0

Improved Auto Focus

Approximately 20% faster AF speed and enhanced focus distance compared to the previous firmware version Close-up focus distance shortened by 30% before needing to switch to macro mode

Improved Manual Focus

New Focus Peaking function assists in manual focusing by enhancing the outline of the subject in high contrast Improved focusing via the EVF or LCD when using wide apertures

Improved Operability

The camera start-up time has been shortened by approximately 0.2 seconds.*1 Pressing the AF button now toggles the focus area selection screen and the area of your choice can be selected

The X100 firmware v2.0 update will be available on October 18, 2013.

To download the new firmware and instructions on upgrading your X100 camera, please visit: http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/

*1 QUICK START mode [OFF]

3) Download Links

Click here to read installation instructions and download the new firmware version 2.0 for your Fujifilm X100 digital camera.

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About Romanas Naryškin

A student and a wedding photographer with a passion for cinematography and writing. You'll see me buying film even when there's no food in the fridge. Follow me on Google+, Facebook or visit my wedding photography website to see some of my work.

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Comments

Couldn’t agree more. Fujifilm is a company interested in building and keeping a fiercely loyal customer base. Your comment about Nikon releasing new camera’s to fix old ones is spot on. I’m probably going to buy the xe-2 when it hits amazon…..It’s like being married…I’ve finally been driven to cheat on Nikon because “they just don’t understand me anymore”. Nikon better start listening to me and send me some flowers just ’cause. lol

I have resisted upgrading to the X100S because I actually love the CMOS warm “look” better than the X-trans. For me, this unexpected boon of a firmware upgrade gave me a wonderful boost! After upgrading to v2.00 I can press the AF button and see the AF grid in the OVF and easily move focus point even when I take my finger off the AF button. This is almost as good as having the X100S “Q” menu! I rarely use MF so focus peaking did not make that much of a difference but I appreciate the effort as well as the shorter start-up time and 30% closer distance prior to auto switching to macro mode. Thank you Fuji Engineers! I love my upgraded X100!

How to upgrade, from comment on DPReview: Upgraded my firmware to v2 from v1.3. Really easy to do… 1.manually write down all your x100 settings. 2. Take off all pics from memory card. 3. Format memory card in camera. 4. Charge batt to max. 5. Check current firmware by holding back/disp button and turn on camera… Must be v1.3. 6. Go to Fuji main site download the file. Fpupdate.dat 32.9mb file size to your desktop mac or PAC same process. 7. Copy and paste this file onto the previous memory card (put it in the root file i.e. Not inside any of the two folders shown). 8. Insert mem card back into camera and turn on back/disp and on at same time. 9. Follow the on screen prompts about updating will take about 5 mins to do. 10. Upgrade to v2 done. 11. Turn off camera. 12. Go to memory card and format it again to delete the upgrade bits. 13. Manually go thru camera to put back on your settings.

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